What You Need To Do To Keep From Drying Up

What do you need to do to keep from drying up? As I look out my window right now I am shocked at how dry everything is. I live in the Southeast so this is an uncommon problem for us.

What is so shocking to me about this is how insidiously it happened. I didn’t just wake up one day and there it was, dry grass, dry leaves, and trees. No, it crept up, so slowly I didn’t even recognize the signs of it.

My hibiscus and ferns were the first things to show the signs of it, they are in pots and I just did not realize how bad the dry weather was until their leaves started to yellow and drop to the ground.

Dry spells in our lives can be the same way. The deserts can creep up on us without even recognizing the symptoms or signs. You may just wake one day and realize something is wrong, how did I get here.

Keep From Drying Up

By recognizing when you are drying up. One problem is that we are so disconnected from our emotions and feelings we often ignore the signs of a dry spell in our life. What exactly is a dry spell?

When I look out at the dry spell we are having now I think of nothing growing, inactivity and lack of nutrition. It can feel that way for us as well. You may feel like there is no growth going on in your life or feel like staying put and being inactive. Some people even remove themselves from the outside and close in on themselves.

There are often real physical symptoms when we are having a dry spell such as:

• Not sleeping
• Sleeping too much
• Withdrawal
• Seeking hope in outside things
• Eating disorders

These feelings we may have sometimes are not the same as depression and I am not talking about depression. Depression is a disease. Treating depression is necessary. Having feelings of sadness are something everyone gets from time to time and can easily be combatted. Depression is a long term illness, not just a feeling of sadness. Depression, NIMH.

What To Do To Prevent Dry Spells in our Lives?

Proper Rest

“An average adult needs between 7.5 and 8 hours of sleep per night.” is what the article Sleeping Through The Decades talks about. Lack of sleep can easily lead up to days of feeling sad and dry.

Not getting enough sleep can affect our thoughts and actions. It can give us the feeling of not caring about what is going on around us. If you feel like you are going through a dry spell, check and see how much sleep you have been getting. You may not have even recognized the fact that sleep has eluded you. Remember dry spells sneak up on you.

Talk to your Doctor. There are things you can take to help you fall asleep and help you stay asleep too. Many new medicines are nonaddictive and do not require long term use.

Exercise To Combat Dry Spells

There is not any feeling, disease or diagnosis that exercise will not improve. Probably everyone has been told at one time or another they need to exercise. The hardest part of exercising is getting there. Making ourselves go to the basement, gym or another place to exercise is 97% of the problem.

For that reason, setting a set time and day to go exercise will help us combat the dry spells. Maintain a regular exercise routine is part of healthy habits and everyone can benefit by doing so.

Staying Hydrated to Keep From Drying Up

Yes, I did say staying hydrated will help to keep you from drying up. When we do not keep ourselves hydrated we cause brain fog and all kinds of other things to slow down.

Our bodies need water. It needs a lot of water. As a result of not getting enough water all kinds of things happen. For instance, our skin dries out. Our eyes get dry as well, which leads to blurry vision. Dry skin and blurry vision can cause us to be irritable and just not enjoy ourselves. Good eyesight and flakey skin are not just guilty pleasures, they are essentials.

Fighting to see well and being bothered by dry skin can lead to just not feeling well. When we are not operating at 100% it can be discouraging. To properly fend off a dry spell we will need to be at 100% physically. Eihydration can lead to not feeling well.

As a result of being dehydrated, it will affect you physically as well as emotionally. Take the time when you start to feel a little sad and pay attention to how much you are drinking. Get at least 50% of your body weight in water. Avoid the fluids that dehydrate you like coffee and tea.

Do The Things That Make You Happy To Keep From Drying Up.

First of all, I have no idea what makes you happy. I know what makes me happy. I like to dance. For real, I love to dance and if I am feeling really dry I put on some KC and The Sunshine Band. Now I am showing my age.

No one is watching you!! Do what you want to do. Dancing and music can make you feel light-hearted. Head off a dry spell before it grabs you and just dance.

So if dancing is not your thing then make fun of yourself and sing. Music, dancing, and singing all make you feel light-hearted. If a hot bath is your thing then do that. Whatever it is just do it. I love a pedicure. I like to take a book and let them do their thing.

One more activity that can help get you out of a dry spell is being with people.

Get With The One’s You Love

Finally, get together with people you really like to be around. I have a friend that is hilarious. She just makes me laugh. Sometimes when I am feeling particularly lifeless and dry I get together with Ann. Within minutes I feel happier after spending a few moments laughing and sharing time together.

There are people that make you laugh and are sincere friends. We all need time with ones we love and have a few laughs.

Things You Should Not Do During A Dry Spell

• Drink in excess
• Use other substances to the point of abuse
• Shop till you drop
• Stay inside
• Watch a lot of TV or news
• Avoid other people

I think it goes without saying alcohol, withdrawing from others and shopping are not good alternatives for feeling dry. None of these will offer anything of great value to your life.

Above all, remember, everyone has days like this. I talked about this in a post about Depression. Depression is real and it needs treating. Having a dry spell is an emotionally down day or week and it is not the same thing.

If you find that nothing lifts your mood and you can not laugh or enjoy any moments of life, seek help. Professional help is needed to treat depression, but these few little things can change your perspective on daily life. Exercise, staying hydrated, dancing, laughing and gathering together with others can dramatically change your mood.

Never give up hope. Depression is a real illness. After time sadness and dry spells go away. Depression does not. It must be treated. Use some of these tips to keep from drying up and seek treatment for depression.